“It’s a great shopper to have. Any other country of origin would kill for this.”

New Zealand commands the highest average price point of any country, at £7.21, with its closest competitor, France, on £6.39. Sales are also up 10.4% in volume and 12.7% in value in the past year, according to Nielsen (year to January 3), after a strong Christmas period where volume sales grew 11.4% on the previous year.

Accolade boss Paul Schaafsma said: “We are very committed to New Zealand. If anything we will grow our presence there.”